Ojukaye: RSG Denies Witch-Hunt

The Rivers State Government says the criminal charges filed against the embattled former Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the State, Ojukaye Flag-Amaechree at the State High Court has nothing to do with political victimization as being speculated by the opposition party and members of the accused family in the state.
The State Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma (SAN), stated this while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The State Attorney-General, who is also the lead prosecuting counsel in the matter, said the explanation became imperative following various attacks on his office alleging that the present trial of the former Asalga Council boss was politically-motivated.
According to him, the criminal offence which Ojukaye was charged with at the State Magistrate Court was the outcome of a one year investigation carried out by the State Police Command on the alleged murder of two persons, late Iminabo Dokubo and Smart Soberekon in Buguma in 2015.
He stated that the Police investigation was conducted and the report signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Abubakar, adding that it was on the report that the Police relied to charge the accused to court for murder and conspiracy.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said he was merely exercising his powers as the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as enshrined in section 211 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which empowers both the Federal and State Attorneys-General to institute and discontinue any criminal matters.
“Section 211 of 1999 constitution empowers both the Federal Government and State Attorney-Generals, not Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to institute to continue or to discontinue the prosecution of any criminal charges. They don’t share these powers with any Police officers”, he disclosed.
Aguma wondered why a matter that investigation was conducted and concluded during the last administration in the state would be viewed as political witch- hunt.
“Our administration came in May 29, 2015. This matter was investigated by the Police and concluded in 2014/2015,” he stated.
The State Attorney-General alleged that the Inspector-General of Police had made two separate attempts to withdraw the prosecution of the matter even when a prima facia case was established by the Police against the accused.
He alleged that his office and sub ordinate staff in the State Ministry of Justice have been receiving threat messages since the matter was moved to the High Court for trial, adding that they cannot be intimidated by the various threats to their lives not to continue with the matter to a logical conclusion.
The SAN, however, said it was left with the court to prove whether the accused was innocent or guilty to the two-count charge against him, adding they will argue the bail application on the next adjourned date.